Letter to the editor: Schools making life-critical decisions

The Norwin School Board has decided to go from in-person to remote learning. This is not an educational, social developmental, convenience or economical decision, but a life-critical decision.

All life-critical decisions have four things in common: They are time sensitive, requiring immediate action; they come with limited information and multiple uncertainties; once taken, they are irreversible; and those who have no responsibility or accountability can never comprehend the motivation or the burden of the decision.

I don’t know if not letting students come to classes is correct or not. But I do know that if there is a major outbreak, mass hospitalizations or multiple deaths, no one will look to those who publicly commented at the meetings in favor of in-person classes for accountability. No one will say to them “How could you let this happen?” or “Look what you’ve done!” No guilt will follow them if they see a family member of someone struck down. No public condemnation or legal consequences will ensue. And if students were to remain and the worst happened, those who supported students staying in class with their loud voices of outrage will become silent.

I offer this opinion from the perspective of having had to make life-critical decisions in the past and having my only daughter a teacher at Norwin and currently with child.

Anthony Marks

Penn Township, Westmoreland County